Maybe This Summer

Colorado Ice, Book #2.5

By Jennifer Snow

ISBN13: 9781455540044

Author’s website: http://www.jennifersnowauthor.com/

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jerjen

 

Synopsis:

Always a wingman . . .

Owen McConnell is used to being ignored. After all, it’s only when he appears as the Colorado Avalanche’s team mascot that he gets all the attention. When the costume is off, women tend to gravitate toward his famous hockey player friends. But after he meets lovely, damaged Paige Adams, he knows he can be the star player for her. She’s raising funds for the hospital burn unit, and Owen’s determined to help her out—and sweep her off her feet.

The burn unit has been near and dear to Paige’s heart ever since the doctors helped her after a vicious attack. Yet the scars—both emotional and physical—haven’t faded as much as she’d hoped. She’s closed herself off from relationships, and the thought of opening up is terrifying. But Owen’s sexy charm might be just the push Paige needs to start loving again.

Review:

Paige Adams used to be one of the beautiful people.  She was drop dead gorgeous and was doing well in her modeling career.  But that all changed when she was brutally attacked.  Her outward beauty was gone, replaced by scars, both inside and out.  She has to reinvent herself so she becomes very active in a hospital burn unit, working hard to ensure that children that have been burned get the best chance of recovery.  Even though that did not happen for her, she wants all the children to have a better outcome.

Owen McConnell used to have it all.  He was a hockey star and had the world in his hands.  But he decided that he needed to serve his country so he enlisted in the armed forces.  His life changes dramatically when he is injured while overseas.  He becomes the Public Relations Manager for the Avalanche hockey team.  He is also the Team Mascot, Bernie, the dog.   When he is Bernie, everybody love him.  When he is Owen, not so much.

When Owen meets Paige, it is love at first sight for him.  He thinks that Paige is perfect inside and out. He pursues her harder than he has ever pursued anyone.  But he does not make any headway,  Paige is just not interested.  He thinks it is because he is somehow lacking, but in reality, it is because Paige is afraid to let herself go and look for happiness.  She feels no one will think she is good enough because of her emotional and physical scars.  It will take a lot of patience and persistence if he is every going to win her over.  Will they be able to find their happily ever after?

The characters are well rounded and well developed.  I enjoyed getting to know Paige and Owen, they are both good people but they unfortunately were dealt hard blows from life.  It was great to see them be able to accept their fate (especially Paige) and move forward.

The writing style flows smoothly and the novella is a quick easy read.  I like that the author took a serious subject (burn victims) and wrote a tale of hope, second chances and accepting oneself as we are.  That was a very positive message.

I would recommend this novella to anyone who enjoys a well written women’s contemporary.  I plan on checking out the author’s other titles and reading them, you should too.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*